Stress Relieving Dental Garment

ABSTRACT

This patent application describes a weighted, easily sanitized, pediatric dental garment that both shields children from biological fluids and helps them remain still during dental procedures. The garment is shaped like a traditional dental apron. Multiple layers comprise the garment; the outermost layers are made from vinyl or some other easily sanitized material. These layers are quilted into a plurality of cells. Each cell holds weighted disks or beads, which simulate a calming embrace. The garment also features a strap, straps, or pockets across the back, which the patient may hold and pull with varying degrees of force during the dental procedure to provide a stress outlet. These features help the patient to remain still and calm during the dental procedure.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Technical Field of the Disclosure

This patent application describes a weighted, easily sanitized, dental garment that both shields pediatric patients from biological fluids and helps them remain still during dental procedures.

2. Description of Related Art

Dentists and hygienists use dental napkins to shield their patients and their clothing from splash and liquids during cleaning and procedures. Usually, dental napkins are roughly 1.5 ft square and are attached to either end of a chain hung around the patient's neck. They are usually disposable.

Dental aprons usually shield patients from radiation during dental x-rays. Usually (though not always) made of lead, they cover (and thus distribute weight across) the patient's entire torso and groin. The dental aprons have an expected useful life of about five years, although this may vary with care and use.

3. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure inventively adopts the structure of a dental apron to create a non-disposable, weighted, dental garment that functions as a stress relieving dental napkin. In one embodiment, the garment is shaped like a traditional dental apron. It is rectangular, although different shapes are possible, and spreads across patient's torso and groin. A scoop in the top of the rectangle accommodates the patient's neck. Two loops at the top of the apron allow it to be hung up. Multiple quilted layers comprise the garment. The top and bottom layers are made of a substance such as vinyl that may be easily disinfected with a sanitizing spray. The quilted sections form a plurality of cells that contain weighed disks or beads. A strap stretches across the back layer of the garment. In an alternative embodiment, this single strap is replaced by two separate straps or two pockets.

The weight garment serves at least two purposes. First, like all dental napkins, it protects the patient from splashes and spills. Second, it improves upon past dental aprons by helping the patient to remain still and calm, reducing fidgeting during the dental procedure. The weight of the blanket simulates a calming embrace. Importantly, the patient may also hold and pull the strap across the back with varying degrees of force during the dental procedure to provide a stress outlet.

4. IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of the apron.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apron.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the apron of an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the apron of an alternative embodiment.

As shown in the drawings, an apron indicated generally at 10 includes a generally rectangular front panel 12 and a rectangular back panel 11. Both panels are made of vinyl or some other easily sanitized material. The tops of the panels are scooped to accommodate the neck, as shown in the area between loops 13 and 14. Two loops 13 and 14 are attached, one on each side of the scoop, to allow the apron to be hung up. Binding 15 attaches the front and back panels at their perimeter. Either stiches or adhesive may quilt the panels together as indicated by 16.

The cells 17 formed by the quilting are filled glass beads or some other material that weighs, for example, approximately 1 Kg/660 cm³. A horizontal strap 18 appropriate for gripping attaches at the approximate midpoint of each vertical edge.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the single strap is replaced by two separate straps 19 and 20 anchored on either side of the apron midline. Each is configured to provide passage therethrough of a hand or arm, meaning each separate strap is configured to accommodate a hand or arm of between 1 to 8 inches in diameter. Accordingly, the patient may thread their hands or arms through the straps to pull the apron close to their body and thereby achieve a stress relieving and/or calming effect by increasing the force applied to his or her body by the apron.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the separate straps are replaced by two slits 21 and 22 in the back layer that access pockets formed by the front and back layers. Each slit is configured to provide passage therethrough of a hand, meaning each slit is configured to accommodate a hand of between 1 to 8 inches in diameter. Accordingly, the patient may thread place their hands in the pocket and thereby achieve a stress relieving and/or calming effect by allowing the patient to grip the inside of the pocket. 

I claim:
 1. A protective apron, comprising a front layer and a back layer, wherein the front layer and back layer are notched or scooped at one end, one or more straps attached at or below a midpoint of the back layer.
 2. The protective apron of claim 1, wherein two loops for hanging are attached to the top of the garment, one on either side of the notch.
 3. The protective apron of claim 1, wherein two straps are positioned on the back layer on either side of its horizontal midpoint, at or below its vertical midpoint.
 4. The protective apron of claim 1, wherein a weighted material is disposed between the front layer and the back layer.
 5. The protective apron of claim 1, wherein the weighted material comprises a plurality of cells of weighted material distributed substantially throughout the apron.
 6. The protective apron of claim 1, wherein the front and back layers are antimicrobial.
 7. A protective apron, comprising a front layer and a back layer, wherein the front layer and back layer are notched or scooped at one end, one or more pockets disposed at or below a midpoint of the back layer and a weighted material disposed between the front layer and the back layer.
 8. The protective apron of claim 7 wherein two loops for hanging are attached to the top of the garment, one on either side of the notch.
 9. The protective apron of claim 7, wherein two or more pockets are positioned on the back layer on either side of its horizontal midpoint, at or below its vertical midpoint.
 10. The protective apron of claim 7, wherein the weighted material comprises a plurality of cells of weighted material distributed substantially throughout the apron.
 11. The protective apron of claim 7, wherein the front and back layers are antimicrobial.
 12. A protective apron, comprising a front layer and a back layer, wherein the front layer and back layer are notched or scooped at one end, one or more of a strap or pocket disposed at or below a midpoint of the back layer; and a weighted material disposed between the front layer and the back layer.
 13. The protective apron of claim 12, wherein two loops for hanging are attached to the top of the garment, one on either side of the notch.
 14. The protective apron of claim 12, wherein a combination of two or more straps and/or pockets are positioned on the back layer on either side of its horizontal midpoint, at or below its vertical midpoint.
 15. The protective apron of claim 12, wherein the weighted material comprises a plurality of cells of weighted material distributed substantially throughout the apron.
 16. The protective apron of claim 12, wherein the front and back layers are antimicrobial. 